Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

319might not come to the ears of Bran. But Branwen reared up ayoung starling in a corner of her kneading-trough, and one dayshe tied a letter under its wing and taught it what to do. It flewaway towards Britain, and finding Bran at Caer Seiont in Arvon,it lit on his shoulder, ruffling its feathers, and the letter was foundand read. Bran immediately prepared a great hosting for Ireland,and sailed thither with a fleet of ships, leaving his land of Britainunder his son Caradawc and six other chiefs.The Invasion of BranSoon there came messengers to Matholwch telling him of awondrous sight they had seen; a wood was growing on the sea,and beside the wood a mountain with a high ridge in the middleof it, and two lakes, one at each side. And wood and mountainmoved towards the shore of Ireland. Branwen is called up toexplain, if she could, what this meant. She tells them the woodis the masts and yards of the fleet of Britain, and the mountainis Bran, her brother, coming into shoal water, “for no ship cancontain him”; the ridge is his nose, the lakes his two eyes. 234The King of Ireland and his lords at once took counsel togetherhow they might meet this danger; and the plan they agreed uponwas as follows: A huge hall should be built, big enough to hold [370]Bran—this, it was hoped, would placate him—there should be agreat feast made there for himself and his men, and Matholwchshould give over the kingdom of Ireland to him and do homage.All this was done by Branwen's advice. But the Irish added acrafty device of their own. From two brackets on each of thehundred pillars in the hall should be hung two leather bags, withan armed warrior in each of them ready to fall upon the guestswhen the moment should arrive.The Meal-bagsEvnissyen, however, wandered into the hall before the rest ofthe host, and scanning the arrangements “with fierce and savage234Compare the description of Mac Cecht in the tale of the Hostel of DeDerga, p. 173.